The US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation programme completed its first aerial refuelling flight with an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye on August 18 during a sortie from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.
The Boeing-owned MQ-25A Stingray test asset, known as T1, transferred fuel to an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the newest variant of the E-2 platform, which was upgraded with an aerial refuelling capability in 2019.
Capt Chad Reed, the US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) programme manager, said: “Once operational, the MQ-25 will refuel every receiver-capable platform, including E-2. This flight keeps us on a fast track to getting the Stingray out to the fleet where its refuelling capability will greatly increase the range and operational flexibility of the carrier air wing and strike group.”
This test marks the second refuelling flight for the MQ-25 programme. In June, the government/industry team completed the historic first unmanned tanking flight with an F/A-18 Super Hornet.
During the six-hour flight, US Navy E-2D p…
